Flexible Semicrown Ether-Linked Symmetric Cationic Gemini Surfactants: Synthesis and Evaluation as Catalysts for Acceleration of Diastereoselective [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction in Reversed Phase Micellar Media

Abstract

Novel cationic gemini surfactants with a hydrophilic oligo-oxyethylene spacer group were synthesized and their physicochemical properties were identified. Computational studies for these compounds were also performed; molecular geometry, frontier molecular orbitals, and quantum chemical parameters were calculated using density functional theory (DFT). After exploration for catalytic activity, it was found that these surfactants can efficaciously accelerate the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions in reversed phase micellar media.